2016 guide to Christmas markets in and around East London
Here in East London we firmly believe in supporting local, and what better time to show that support than at Christmas, with dozens of markets held in the most beautiful environments, far far away from the madding crowd at the busy malls!
So take this opportunity to shop around at a number of diverse markets in and around East London. Pick up something original and very unique, all the while keeping your money within the city and contributing toward another’s well-being and livelihood. We’ve also included some places you can head to for a good old-fashioned Christmas Carol singalong…
It’s quite simply the best way to do Christmas!
3rd December
Bring the whole family and meander through the stalls at Stutterheim Farmer’s, Craft & Art Market, located at the Eagles Ridge Country Hotel at the foot of the Amatola mountains. Stall holders offer unique and interesting products and there are plenty activities for the kids including pony rides, archery and a play area. Open from 9am till 2pm.
The Good People Market will be at Drifters Raceway in Cambridge on 3rd December. Plenty of fun-packed activities for the whole family plus a wide variety of stalls to browse and enjoy. Open from 10.30am till 4.30pm.
For something different this Christmas, the Almost New Baby & Children’s Market will be held on 3rd & 4th December at Beaconhurst School Hall and Cambridge Primary School Hall, respectively, from 8am until 11am. Why not pop over there and see what you can pick up, there’s always such a wide variety of goods! R10 entry fee.
King’s Mall in Gonubie will be holding its monthly Arts & Crafts market on the 3rd December plus a special three-day Christmas bonanza which will run from the 16th – 18th. A wide variety of handmade arts and crafts will be on offer so pay them a visit, browse a while and support the local community!
4th December
Tea in the Trees will be holding its stunning craft markets every Sunday in December, as well as selected Fridays. Dates are 4th, 11th, 16th, 18th, 23rd & 30th, from 9am until 2pm. The perfect opportunity to stroll around the stalls where local traders sell their Christmas wares and this family friendly spot is the perfect place to take the kids with a jungle gym, sandpit and forest walks all on offer too.
A trip to Kidd’s Beach is always worth it, especially when the Avalon Market is on! Take the family for a day out and visit this market with a wide variety of stalls including clothing, vintage and deli foods. Open from 9am till 2pm. If you miss this event however, there will be another market on the 18th December… no excuses, see you there!
11th December
Head to the Philip Khats Ground for the Bunkers Market and find yourself a wonderfully unique gift. It’s going to be lovely with plenty of stalls and super shopping ideas for the whole family. Open from 10am to 3pm, you won’t want to miss it!
Find that perfect gift this season at the Festive & Fabulous Gift Market, set in the grounds of Princes Lodge in Vincent. With a wide variety of beautiful goodies, food & drink stalls, art activities to keep the children busy, and of course Father Christmas in the Reach for a Dream Grotto, you’d be crazy to miss it. Open from 12pm to 3pm.
13th December
For something different and very special, head to Carols With the Cows at Elliott’s Dairy Farm in Cove Rock. Entry is free to this family-friendly event so take along your picnic blankets and candles and enjoy a sing-along with live musicians playing Christmas Carols. The fun starts at 6pm.
16th December
Mel’s Fun Farm has the winning combination of offering stalls with a vast array of produce and a wonderful play area and touch farm for the kids. Open from 10am until 3pm, this is a perfect opportunity to pick up those special gifts.
Between 9am and 2pm you can browse locally made produce surrounded by indigenous trees on the banks of the Inchara River a Yellowwood Forest Campsite in Morgan Bay. When you want to take a break from your shopping, the Tree Pot tea garden and bar are always open for delicious meals and home bakes and the products from the pizza oven are not to be missed. And you can’t make it out to Yellowwood on 16th, there will be another opportunity when they hold further markets on 23rd and 28th December.
Tea in the Trees will be hosting a Tunes in the Trees event on 16th December with a fantastic line-up of artists including Aston Wylie, Majozi, Can of Worms, So Be It Union and Kathy Raven. In addition to all of this there will be food stalls galore, live DJ and bar! All the fun starts at 3pm and costs R150 for adults and R50 for children.
Head down to the Baby Cam Family Fun Day, Car Draw & Neighbourgoods Market on 16th December. It’s all for a wonderful cause and it also sees the launch of The Greens Neighbourgoods Market, a perfect opportunity to pick up that something special. Held at Bayside Church in Beacon Bay, the fun starts at 9am.
The peaceful haven that is Kidd’s Beach certainly comes alive during the holiday season and every year they hold a lovely market on the Village Green. Attracting both holiday makers and locals alike, this is a vibrant event not to be missed.
From 6.30pm on 16th December you can enjoy a wonderful market at The C Club in Chintsa East. This beautiful setting is the perfect environment to shop for those special gifts.
17th December
For the most beautiful gifts with a difference, head to this Pop Up Shop at Aknitak Creations in Kidd’s Beach on 17th December and browse the stunning, handmade gifts on offer. Open between 9am and 2pm.
18th December
Murambi Rose Cafe will be hosting a market and Carols on the Lawn on 18th December. Stop a while, browse and enjoy and don’t forget to take a blanket to sit on! Shopping and singing, that’s what it’s all about…Starts at 4pm.
20th December
The Village Green in Chintsa East is where you can browse and shop for some unique gifts on 20th December. Always a fabulous market!
21st – 23rd December
The Venue@Hemingways is where you will find the awesome Christmas Craft Market, running from 21st to 23rd December, open from 10am till 7pm. Entrance to the market is free but if you take a gift along, you stand a chance to win awesome prizes in the draw (plus, your gift will go to one of three charities: Langham House, EL Pet Pals or Breath of Life).
24th December
There will be Christmas Carols in the PineCreek play area at 6pm on Christmas Eve, followed by Santa and his elves delivering gifts for the children on the PineCreek Express at 6.30pm (parents are requested to drop off gifts at PineCreek before 2pm on Christmas Eve). A wonderfully exciting time for the kids!
January 2017
If you’re celebrating late or would simply like to browse the markets once things have quietened down a little, please note that both the Yellowwood Forest and Avalon markets will be open on the 2nd & 8th January, respectively. Happy shopping and a very Merry Christmas from ShowMe East London to you!